Upholstery pin



Nov. 16, 1943. F. s. WELCH 2,334,662

UPHOLSTERY PIN Filed April 19, 1941 INVENTOR 77647 5. 14 6/65- ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UPHOLSTERY PIN Fred! S. Welch, Pontiac, Mich. Application April 19, 1941, Serial No. 389,397

2 Claims.

This invention relates to upholstery pins for fastening of seat covers, antimacassars andother protective covering to upholsteredfurniture, automobile seats and articles of like nature.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an upholstery pin of such character of structure and relationship of parts astosecure the same against accidental displacement.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide an upholstery pinof two separable parts for introduction through the covering element into the upholstery at a'different angle one to the other and so interlocked at the external end portions as to prevent accidental displacement of the parts orwithdrawal of the same from the upholstery while in interlocked relation.

These and other objects and novel features of the invention are hereinafter 'more fully described and claimed and the preferred form' of construction of an upholstery pin embodying my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective viewof an upholstered chair showing an antimacassar and arm coverings secured in position by my improved upholstery pin.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upholstery pin showing the two parts in the relationship assumed in fastening upholstery covering in place.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing one form of one of the elements.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative form of the element shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the element for association with either of the elements shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of my improved upholstery pin.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of one of the elements shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the form of the element adapted to be used with the companion element shown in Fig. 7.

In the preferred form of construction of an upholstery pin embodying my invention, I form the element a of a single wire having two parallel prongs with sharpened ends and the body being bent to form the two eyes I, la, the cross member 2, and prongs 3 and 4. These prongs are introduced through the covering element and into the upholstery at an angle to its surface. The two eyes and cross bar limit the extent of introduction of the prongs of the element a into the upholstery. The element b is formed of wire bent intermediate its ends to form two parallel pointed tion 1.

prongs 5 and 6 spaced apart at the pointed ends and connected at the opposite end by the base por- With the element a of the pair introduced into the upholstery as above mentioned, the prongs 5 and 5 0f element b are introduced through the eyes l and la and through the covering element'and into the upholstery at an angle (approximately at a right angle) to the plane occ'upied by the prongs of the element a. The element 1) having its prongs introduced into theupholstery at an angle to the direction of introduction of the prongs of the element b thereinto, the element 2) is -held from being accidentally retracted and as the prongs of the element b extend into the upholstery at an angle to the prongs ofthe element a" withdrawal of the interlocked elements by pull or strain in any-direction applied to the pins or to the'fcovering is prevented.

Also, the strain on the upholstery due to the separated points of'attachment is divided and lessens the tendencyto tear or'injure the same. The'pins' are quite inconspicuous butmay be readily colored or -ornamented as may be desired and may be utilized to attach varipus character of elements. tothe upholstery and by. variation-in the dimension thereof a fastening of any desired strength that may be required in fastening various elementsto the upholstery may be provided.

In Fig. 4 is shown an element b corresponding to the element b of Fig. 3 and serviceable in the same manner as heretofore described. It differs in its form from the element shown at b in that two shoulders 8 and 9 are provided in the prong elements thereof adjacent the base l0 and, in introducing this pin b through the eyes I and la of the element a the shoulders 8 and 9 engage behind the eyes ofthe element a and thus prevent accidental displacement of the element 12 through strain that may be applied thereto or to the covering element by a person seated in the chair or other upholstered structure.

An alternative form of upholstery pin having parts in interlocking relationship is shown in Fig. 6. The element 0 is provided with an eyed end I l opposite the prong end and the element d has a head [2 that seats on the loop or eye of the element 0 when the prong of the element d is introduced therethrough. Thus, the device may be made with two elements having single prongs which, when positioned in the upholstery, are in interlocked relation and function after the manner described relative to the form shown in Fig. 2.

The term interlocking relationship as herein used refers to the feature of construction by which one of the elements of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 6 is supported at an angle to the other. In Fig. 2 the element a is introduced into the upholstery with the bar 2 in contact with the covering element and the prongs 5 and 6 of the element b (which closely fit in the eyes I and la) are supported in an angular relationship by reason of the fact that each element 5 and 6 of the element b rests at one point on the cross bar and on the opposite side by the upper portion of the eye which contacts the prong at a slight distance, from the point of contact with the crossbar. While there is sufficient size of eyes to permit the respective prongs 5 and B to be readily introduced therethrough, the fact is that the prongs 5 and 6 may not be materially changed in angle to the prongs 3 and 4, and the assembled elements therefor may not be withdrawn at the same time from the upholstery. The same result is obtained in the structure shown in Fig. 6 wherein the eye portlon'li is formed of me than. a ingle turn of. wire. 0. The pin d practically fits the eye and the tilting of the prongs c or d one towards the other is revented. Thus in the, -forn1 ..ef th in nt n shownin Fig. 6 the, as mbled elements, due to their angu ar re ationship. may not e t erable method of withdrawal of the parts due to their resistance to separation It is further believed obvious that the fastening devices or pins may-be applied at several points at the corners or sides 'of the covering to maintain the same stretched to close contact with the upholstery throughout its surface and that as many fasteners as desired may be utilized depending largely upon the peripheral dimensions of the fabric to be secured to the upholstery.

It is further believed evident from the foregoing description that the various features and objects of the invention are attained by the structure described and that various structural departures from the illustrated forms may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' 1. An upholstery pin for attaching a covering to an upholstered element such as furniture,

comprising two members each formed of a single piece of wire bent to U form to provide parallel prongs connected at one end by a cross bar, one of said members having a pair of eyes at the junction of the parallel prongs with the cross bar and through which the prongs of the other membermay be passed at substantially a right angle to the prongs of the. eyed member, the said structural form of the two parts requiring the two members to be introduced into the upholstery at an angle one to the other.

2. An upholstery pin for attaching a covering to an upholstery element, comprising two members each for-med of a piece of wire bent into a U shaped providing parallel prongs connected by an integral bar at one end and pointed at the opposite ends, one of said members being bent upon itself to form eyes at the point of junction of its cross bar with the prongs and through which the prongs of the other member may be introduced into an upholstered element in a direction at substantially a, right angle to the eyed member, said other member having its prongs slightly offset adjacent its cross bar in such mannor that the prongs are spaced a less distance apart adjacent the cross bar than throughout the remaining length thereof substantially as and for the purpose described.

' FRED s. WELCH. 

